9.

Paradox walked into the kitchen and sat down silently followed by Fluttershy and Discord. Discord rubbed his paw and claw together happily when Silver placed a plate of crepes in front of him. She placed a plate in front of Fluttershy and then Paradox. “Eat up!” She said cheerfully as she flapped her wings as she sat down and pulled a plate of crepes to her.

She watched as Discord was eating the crepes with gusto. “Silver, these are really good.” He said with his mouth full.

Fluttershy daintily cut the crepes and ate little bites. She smiled at her daughter-in-law. “They have so much flavor… very juicy too.”

Paradox looked at his crepes, it was his favorite and he didn’t have an appetite, although they looked really delicious. He looked up at his wife and she was smiling.

“It’s your favorite.” She said to Paradox and her smile faltered a little when she saw his look. “Is… there something wrong Doxy?”

“Nothing is wrong.” He muttered as he made himself eat the crepes.

“Are you sure?” She asked. “You look… upset.”

“I’m alright. They taste good Silver. I always love your cooking.” He smiled weakly.

“Ok.” She said as she ate hers.

They ate in silence for a moment until Snafu started to get fussy in the baby sling. Fluttershy smiled. “It’s okay Snafu, I know it’s time for your nap.” She got up from the table. “Thank you for breakfast Silver. It was really delicious.”

“It was fun to make breakfast for you!” Silver smiled as she placed her fork down and started to take the empty plates from the table. Discord had summoned a newspaper from thin air and he was reading it upside down as he sat back. Paradox just sat forward and was poking half of an uneaten crepe with his fork. She placed her hoof on his plate. “Are you done Doxy?”

“Silver, you’re pregnant.” He said as he put his paw on her hoof.

Several things happened all at once. Plates fell onto the floor from Silver’s hoof. Discord dropped the paper and placed his paw on his forehead in exasperation and Fluttershy squeaked at the plates falling on the floor and Snafu started to cry loudly at the noise of plates shattering. In that few seconds’ total chaos reigned in the kitchen. Discord smiled slightly under the exasperation and shook his head as the noise settled. “Total chaos… I applaud you on your timing Paradox.” He clapped.

“Sorry…” Silver whispered as she started to pick up the plates that she dropped. Her thoughts were spinning, she didn’t hear Dox right… did she? “I’ll clean this up… I’m sorry, I’m so clumsy.”

Paradox got up quickly and started to help Silver pick up the dishes. “It’s alright, Silver. I’ll clean this up.” He used his magic and cleaned the dishes off the floor making the larger shards float into a trash can. “I didn’t mean to startle you.” He whispered to her.

She sat back and looked at him as he picked little pieces of plate off the floor with his claws. “Doxy, what did you say? I think I heard you wrong.” She asked.

Discord looked under the table at them. “Paradox is suffering from hoof in mouth disease.”

Paradox pushed his father’s muzzle back. “Dad… Let me talk to her.”

Fluttershy grabbed Discord’s shoulder while she tried to sooth Snafu. “Come on.” She said to him. They left the kitchen leaving Silver and Paradox sitting on the floor looking at one another.

“Please, what did you say?” Silver repeated her question.

Paradox gave a small smile. “Well, remember when I said that I felt something odd and I had to ask Dad what it might have been?”

“Yes?” Silver nodded.

“I asked him…” He inched closer to her and reached over to her. “Come here.”

She moved closer to him and was surprised when he placed his paw on her stomach. “Doxy?”

He looked into her eyes as he slowly caressed her belly fur. She sighed softly at his touch and leaned closer to him, he gave her a soft kiss on her lips as they pulled apart he swallowed. “I love you, and while our cottage is being fixed, we’ll need a nursery built in… because you’re pregnant with our foal.”

She blinked at him. “How do you know this?”

“I’m a draconequus.” He smiled. “I hope you don’t care… I’m scared, but we’re going to be… parents.”

She started to cry; her tears were slowly running down her cheeks as she looked at him. “This makes me happy. Doxy… I am so happy that you and I are going to be parents!” She hugged him tightly and he started to laugh at how happy she was as he returned her hug tightly.